JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — The Empire District Electric Co. in Joplin is asking the Kansas Corporation Commission for an increase to pay for environmental compliance at its Asbury plant.

The environmental rider would mean a $3.67 per month increase for Kansas customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of energy. Empire is asking that the rider be effective March 1.

Empire spokeswoman Julie Maus says the environmental costs include equipment needed to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, particulate matter and mercury emissions.

The Joplin Globe reports  the total cost is between $112 million and $130 million.

Empire in August asked the Missouri Public Service Commission for a 5.5 percent increase, or $24.3 million, from its Missouri customers for environmental compliance. That would add about $9.87 per month for a residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity.